Sacramento County
Biographies
JOHN PATTERSON
JOHN PATTERSON.--A liberal and enterprising old-timer who has aided materially in the development of Sacramento County is John Patterson, a native of Ireland, born at Kingscourt, County Cavan, June 16, 1839. He came to Galena, Ill., with his parents when he was a boy, and soon afterwards was left an orphan. He was adopted by Chas. Kidder and his wife, who proved to be very kind foster parents, and he came with them across the plains in 1852. Starting on April 5, then came through with ox teams, arriving on August 4, and locating in the mines on Rabbit Creek, Sierra County, where Mr. Kidder also ran a store. After nearly eight years in the mines the family came to the Cosumnes River, in 1859. Mr. Kidder purchased a ranch and engaged in farming. John Patterson was twenty years of age when they came to the ranch; and he entered enthusiastically into farming and it was not long until the operating of the ranch depended upon him. He was equal to it and continued faithfully, taking care of his foster parents in their old age until their passing away. Being the only heir, he became the owner of the ranch.
On May 1, 1878, in Sacramento Mr. Patterson was married to Miss Anna English, a native of Chicago, Ill., who had come to California when she was a child with her mother. Mr. Patterson continued to operate his ranch, making valuable improvements in a large residence and suitable farm buildings, and purchased land adjoining his ranch as he prospered. He now owns 554 acres on Cosumnes River devoted to raising fruit, hops, alfalfa, grain, hay and stock. In 1918 he built a large new comfortable residence where he now lives retired, having rented his lands to others.
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are the parents of seven children, six of whom grew up: Ellen Kidder, now Mrs. St. Clair, and Cyril both reside in San Francisco; John is an orchardist; Mrs. May Eichenberger lives at Gerber; Mrs. Genevieve Pierson lives at Cosumnes; William died in youth; and Lawrence Lyell was in the United States army, being stationed at Camp Lewis when he died, in 1918, aged twenty-two. Mr. Patterson has always been interested in the cause of education and served as trustee and clerk of Rhoads school district. He also served four years under J. W. Houston. He is a Democrat in national politics, and has served as a member of the county central committee.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Reed, G.
Walter, History of Sacramento County,
California With Biographical Sketches, Page 878. Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, CA.
1923.
© 2007 Jeanne Taylor.